Netanyahu leads in Israeli election as Iran tensions loom

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 05:27 · Archive

Benjamin Netanyahu's party led Israeli election results, with security experts saying he could launch military action against Iran.

Benjamin Netanyahu's party led Israeli election results released Wednesday with 53 seats, compared to opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot's Change bloc on 49 seats, with more than 90 per cent of the vote counted. The election saw the highest turnout in decades, but neither side achieved the 61 seats required for a majority government.

Security experts say Netanyahu's strong showing could enable military action against Iran. An Iran expert at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies told the New York Post that the Iranian regime feared Netanyahu because of his stated willingness to attack Iran. Netanyahu has long advocated for toppling Iran's Islamic Republic, whilst Eisenkot agrees Iran must not develop nuclear weapons but has said regime change is unrealistic.

Observers said Netanyahu's comeback — after exit polls on Tuesday had initially shown him behind Eisenkot — gives him room to pursue a new campaign against Iran with American forces following the US midterm elections. The Financial Times reported that security experts believe Netanyahu could launch a fresh bombing campaign against Iran whilst serving as caretaker prime minister during coalition talks. France 24 noted that experts say his government could retain significant powers, including the authority to wage war against Iran, even as he faces greater constraints as caretaker leader.

How it is being reported

• Netanyahu has one more chance to get what he wants: all-out war with IranPatrick Cockburn: Bibi may calculate that another war with Iran will strengthen his position as iconic national leaderThe i Paper · 29 Oct, 06:00
• Israel vote leaves door open to Iran attackNetanyahu could launch fresh bombing campaign with US while he serves as caretaker prime minister during coalition talks, security experts sayFinancial Times · 29 Oct, 05:00
• Israel election: What impact on Iran as the war in the Middle East continues?Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to face greater constraints as Israel’s caretaker prime minister following Tuesday’s election. However, experts say his government could retain significant powers, including the authority to wage war against Iran. So what impact will the election have on Israel’s approach to Iran? France 24’s International Affairs Editor Angela Diffley shares further insights.France 24 · 28 Oct, 16:54
• Netanyahu barely hanging on after Israeli election — what that means for Iran war“The Iranian regime did not expect that Netanyahu would be the biggest party. They are afraid of him because he talks against Iran about attacking Iran again," Beni Sabti, an Iran expert at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Israel, told the Post.New York Post · 28 Oct, 14:00

In this story: Benjamin Netanyahu · Gadi Eisenkot · Israel · Iran · Institute for National Security Studies · United States

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log